Did you receive a letter or email from us? If so, we need more information from you as soon as possible to continue processing your passport application. Your processing times may be delayed if you receive this letter or email.
Learn how to respond to your letter and get your questions answered by referring to this sample letter:
Subscribe to email updates about the status of your passport application so you know immediately if we need additional information from you. We have two status updates if we send you a letter and/or email:
Additional Information Needed: This update is available on the date we send you a letter and/or email. Follow the instructions in the letter and this page, and respond within 90 days.
Information Received, In Process Again: We received the information you sent us and will continue processing your application.
This is the most common problem with passport applications. Please review our photo requirements before taking a new photo.
If only one (or neither) parent or guardian applied in person for the child’s passport under age 16, we may have a question about parental consent.
| If... | Please submit... |
|---|---|
| You have sole legal custody, or you are the only parent | One of the following documents:
|
| One parent was unable to go in person to apply for the child’s passport (but both of you have custody) | Form DS-3053 “Statement of Consent” filled out by the parent who did not appear in person to apply for the child’s passport. That parent must:
|
| You cannot locate the other parent (but both of you have custody) |
Form DS-5525 “Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances" filled out by you. Please complete the form with as much detail as possible. Please note: We may ask for additional information (e.g., custody order, incarceration order, restraining order) to protect against international parental child abduction. |
| A third party (someone other than the parent/guardian) applied in person for the child’s passport (for example, a grandparent) | A notarized statement from both parents/guardians giving the third party permission to apply for the child. The statement must include a photocopy of both parents/guardians’ identifications (front and back). (If the statement is from only one parent/guardian, you must also show proof that that parent/guardian has sole custody.) |
Please Note: You must submit Form DS-3053 or other notarized statements within three months of it being signed.
To show parental relationship, submit one of the following:
You may also have received this letter if your name has changed since the child’s birth. In that case, please send evidence of your name change. Examples include:
You must submit both the original (or certified) birth certificate and a photocopy. Your U.S. birth certificate must meet the following requirements:
If your birth certificate did not meet one of those requirements, you must contact the vital records office of the state or territory in which you were born to order a new U.S. birth certificate.
If there is no birth certificate on file in the state or territory in which you were born, you must submit a Letter of No Record and a combination of early public records. See our Citizenship Evidence page for more information.
When you renew by mail, our intake facility will review your application and supporting documents before an agency or center begins processing it.
The intake facility will send you a letter if you did not complete the application or provide all supporting documents. The letter may include a QR code with a link our Renew by Mail page. Common reasons for getting this letter include:
Follow the instructions in the letter. You must include the letter we sent you when you resubmit the new application.
When your application is at the intake facility, your application status will show as "Not Available" if you check our Online Passport Status System. Your application will be "In Process" once a passport agency or center begins processing your new application.
When you applied in person, you had to show the acceptance agent a photo ID. If you received a letter or email asking for more identification, send us several photo IDs and include front-and-back photocopies of each one.
If you were born outside the United States and acquired U.S. citizenship through the naturalization of your parent(s), please submit the following with your passport application:
Please see U.S. Citizenship Laws & Policy for more information.
U.S. Citizenship through Adoption
If you were born outside the United States and acquired citizenship through adoption by a U.S. citizen parent while under the age of 18, please see Child Citizenship Act of 2000 for more information.
If… |
Please submit… |
| You didn’t submit your previous passport book or card. | Your previously-issued passport book or card. |
| Your previous passport book or card was lost or stolen. | Form DS-64 to report your passport lost or stolen. |
| You used Form DS-64 to report your passport lost or stolen, but forgot to sign it. | A new, signed Form DS-64 to report your passport lost or stolen. |
| You submitted a limited validity passport. | Evidence of U.S. citizenship. Examples include:
|
| Your passport is damaged or mutilated. | A signed statement explaining the damage or mutilation of your passport. The damaged/mutilated passport will be retained and destroyed. |
| Your passport is damaged or mutilated and cannot be used as evidence of U.S. citizenship. | A signed statement explaining the damage or mutilation of your passport, as well as evidence of U.S. citizenship. Examples include:
|
If… |
Please submit… |
| Your name has been legally changed | A certified copy of the court order or marriage certificate. |
| Your name has not been legally changed | At least three certified or original public records, which show use of this name for at least five years.
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